Dubai secures strategic partnerships to stage ICOM General Conference 2025

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Dubai has formalised a suite of strategic public–private agreements as it prepares to host the global museum sector for the 27th ICOM General Conference, witnessed by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in her capacity as Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the conference is scheduled to run from 11–17 November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The partnership framework brings together major public and private stakeholders, including du, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Expo City Dubai, Dubai Business Events, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Airports, and ICOM UAE to coordinate logistics, sustainability and visitor experience.

The signing was held at Expo City Dubai and attended by senior officials such as Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Chairperson of the ICOM Dubai 2025 Organising Committee; Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du; Ahmed Bahrozyan of the RTA; alongside other senior representatives from Dubai’s principal agencies.

This will be the first time the International Council of Museums (ICOM) stages its flagship conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, a development expected to draw in excess of 4,500 museum professionals, cultural practitioners and innovators from around the world.

The programme, themed “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” will concentrate on three focal strands — Intangible Heritage, Youth Power, and New Technologies — examining how museums can adapt to societal shifts, engage younger audiences and harness digital tools for preservation and narration.

Founded in 1946, ICOM represents more than 60,000 members across 139 countries, spanning curators, conservators, educators and researchers. Hosting the 2025 edition in Dubai is expected to fortify these international networks and enhance the emirate’s role as a cultural intermediary between regions.

By consolidating these strategic collaborations, Dubai signals its operational readiness to deliver a high-profile international conference that aims to advance collaboration, innovation and the exchange of expertise within the global museum community.